Demobilization: Interim Constitution Accord

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Demobilization: Interim Constitution Accord

Implementations

Demobilization – 1993

The 1993 interim constitutions established the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). All guerrilla forces were expected to be integrated into the new SANDF. Therefore, demobilization and reintegration were not an issue in 1993.

Demobilization – 1994

In April 1994, seven forces were combined into one, constituting the united South African National Defence Force (SANDF), as laid out in the Interim Constitution of 1993. The reduction of funds allocated to defense rendered the Joint Military Co-ordinating Committee (JMCC) strategic planning process, which had envisaged a SANDF strength of 90, 000, unaffordable. Therefore, a demobilization and/or rationalization process was started. According to van Stade: “A Personnel Rationalisation Work Group (PRWG) has been instituted in order to oversee the rationalisation process from within the SANDF. The composition of the PRWG includes representatives from all the constituent forces, the Secretary for Defence and memebrs of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT), and is aimed at ensuring a transparent process within the margins of fair labour practices. This work group has recently instituted a sub-work group to make proposals in respect of psychological and social support to members and their families who will be affected by the rationalisation process in the SANDF. A special Consultation Forum has also been established to negotiate with employee organisations in respect of civilian members that could be affected by the rationalisation process.”1

Since the integration into the new armed force had just started, demobilization and reintegration was not issue.2

  1. L.B. van Stade, “Rationalisation in the SANDF: The Next Challenge,” African Security Review 6, no. 2, (1997), accessed December 6, 2010, http://www.issafrica.org/Pubs/ASR/6No2/VanStade.html.
  2. Note: For approach and principles and the criteria to use when identifying individuals for non-renewal of contracts and retrenchment see ibid.

Demobilization – 1995

“The formal demobilisation and reintegration process started after 1994 and legislation to this effect was passed in 1996.”1 “The legislative framework for demobilization and reintegration was only in place in 1996 with the institution of the policy White Paper on Defence and Demobilization Act. As demobilization had started in 1995 after the democratic elections in 1994, these had to have a retrospective effect. The demobilized were supposed to be catered for by a three-legged demobilization and reintegration strategy:

– gratuity payment, calculated according to length of service in the liberation
armies;
– counselling and advisory service to guide the ex-fighters on how to manage
their gratuities as well as to advise on the options available to support their
reintegration; and
– skills upgrade via the Service Corps training scheme hitherto inappropriately located in the department of defense.”2

On August 25, 1995, Defence Minister Joe Modise made an announcement to cut the SANDF strength from 135,000 to 75,000 members by 1999. The SANDF chief said that “about 10,000 members of former black liberation armies ineligible or unwilling to serve in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) would be demobilised immediately at a cost of 225 million rands (60 million dollars) in gratuity payouts.”3 It was reported that eleven former members of political militias were appointed in the SANDF generals rank. They were among 1,300 officers selected from 14,600 former MK and APLA cadres already integrated with the SANDF.4

Approximately 18,000 former MK and APLA members reported to the SANDF force during the 18-month reintegration process, which ended in November 1996. Several of the 17,824 former cadres chose demobilization.5

The government introduced a Bill to facilitate the reintegration of demobilized combatants into civil society by providing for a demobilization gratuity. A Service Corps was created, which was dedicated to the training of ex-combatants in skills suitable to their reintegration into civilian life.6

  1. Lephophotho Mashike, “Standing down or standing out? Demobilising and reintegrating former soldiers,” African Security Review 9, no. 5/6 (2000).
  2. Gwinyayi A. Dzinesa, “Postconflict Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration of Former Combatants in Southern Africa,” International Studies Perspectives 8, no. 1 (2007): 81.
  3. “South Africa to slash its military by 60,000 to 75,000,” Deutsche Presse-Agentur, August 22, 1995.
  4. “SOUTH AFRICA; Eleven former guerrillas appointed army generals,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, October 9, 1995.
  5. “SOUTH AFRICA; Nearly 18,000 former guerrillas integrated into army in 18 months,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 10, 1995.
  6. “SOUTH AFRICA; Former MK, APLA members demobilized from SANDF,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, September 9, 1995.

Demobilization – 1996

The SANDF became a transformed and reformed organization. “Of the approximately 28 000 originally registered Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) and 6 000 Azanian People’s Liberation Army (Apla) members, about 16 000 reported for integration and, of these, almost 4 000 chose to demobilise. Of those that integrated, almost 1 700 were appointed as officers – a remarkably high percentage – of which 150 are women. Of these officers, comprising about 10% of all regular force SANDF officers, 11 became generals, including the country’s first black woman general. This group, together with the 500 officers from the former homelands’ forces, is the strategic base from which to develop broad representivity of black officers at all levels of command.”1

Approximately 18,000 former MK and APLA members reported to the SANDF force during the 18-month reintegration process, which ended in November 1996.2

  1. “South Africa; Army marches into the future,” Africa News, November 8, 1996.
  2. “SOUTH AFRICA; Nearly 18,000 former guerrillas integrated into army in 18 months,” BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, December 10, 1995.

Demobilization – 1997

The process to integrated, demobilize, or reintegrated former combatants from the rebel armed force was completed by the end of 1996.

No further developments observed this year.

Demobilization – 1998

No further developments observed.

Demobilization – 1999

No further developments observed.

Demobilization – 2000

No further developments observed.

Demobilization – 2001

No further developments observed.

Demobilization – 2002

No further developments observed.